Fire Safety

When fire strikes, the potential for damage to people and property is tremendously high. The burning process requires four (4) elements often referred to as a fire tetrahedron:

1. Fuel - Common fuels include coal, natural gas, wood, paper, etc.
2. Oxygen - The air we breathe is composed of between 20% and 21% oxygen, which is sufficient to sustain most fires.
3. Heat - In order to start a fire, heat must be supplied to initiate the chemical reaction. This is normally in the form of a spark or small flame, but could be high temperature.
4. Sustaining chemical reaction - This is called combustion and involves the transformation of the fuel and oxygen into water and carbon dioxide. By-products include heat and light. The heat sustains the reaction.

Fire safety

Fire safety is a set of practices that reduce the destruction caused by fire. OSH’s fire safety measures are aimed at both preventing the start of a fire by implementing workplace controls and limiting the effects of fire after one begins.

Laws (click on the law for details)

1. Law no. 1 of 1970 on Occupational Safety
2. Ministerial Regulation No. 04/Men/1980, Fire Extinguisher
3. Ministerial Regulation No. 02/Men/1983, Fire Alarm
4. Ministerial Regulation No. Kep 186/Men/1999

Fire Classes

There are five main types of fire:

Class A - Ordinary Combustibles

• Wood, paper, cloth
• Ordinary trash

Class B - Flammable Liquids and Gases

• Gasoline
• Oils
• Paints
• Propane

Class C - Fires involving electrical equipment - these could be any of the other type of fires, but electrical equipment is involved

Class D fires - Combustible Metals and Metal Alloys (not very common)

Class K fires - Fires involving cooking materials

• Cooking Oils
• Animal and vegetable fats
• Grease

Fire Control Systems

Fire sprinklers

A fire sprinkler system is an active fire protection method, consisting of a water supply system, providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system, onto which fire sprinklers are connected. These fire sprinkler will be activated automatically in case of fire in the room.

Fire exits

Every workplace must have enough exits suitably located to enable everyone to get out of the facility quickly. Considerations include the type of structure, the number of persons exposed, the fire protection available, the type of industry involved, and the height and type of construction of the building or structure. In addition, fire doors must not be blocked or locked when employees are inside. Delayed opening of fire doors, however, is permitted when an approved alarm system is integrated into the fire door design. Exit routes from buildings must be free of obstructions and properly marked with exit signs.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms should be installed between each sleeping area and the remainder of the building. Where a sleeping area is served by a hallway, install the alarm in the hall. Always install the smoke alarm on or near the ceiling and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Test your smoke alarm every month using the alarm test button. Install a new battery at least once or twice a year. If the low battery warning beeps, replace the battery immediately.

To clean battery-powered smoke alarms, vacuum the inside using the soft bristle brush. Vacuum as you would the battery powered unit. Restore power and test the unit when finished. Replace any alarm which is more than ten years old with a new smoke alarm.

Standpipe and hose system

Standpipe systems are the pipes, valves, and connections that are installed in a building and arranged to provide attachment points for fire hoses. These are generally located in the hallway. In case of fire they should be used only by trained persons. If you start the fire alarm, the fire department will respond as soon as possible.

Portable fire extinguishers

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations if you are trained to use one. Use the fire extinguisher if you know how to use it. Otherwise, follow the evacuation procedure. There is no time to try to figure out how to use a fire extinguisher.

Although not all workplaces are required to maintain fire extinguishers, employers must ensure that any fire extinguishers on-site are appropriate for the fire hazards that are present in the building. Employees that are expected to use this equipment must be trained on how to properly operate it. OSHA also requires employers to regularly inspect the fire extinguishers to ensure the equipment is in safe working condition

Extinguishers should be located on each floor or level. You should have one in the kitchen (not too close to the stove), another in your workshop, and in the garage, basement, camper and at the cottage. A unit for the car is also advisable. Locate the extinguisher just inside the door to the area concerned. You can reach it easily and fight the fire, while remaining close to the escape route.

Check the extinguisher pressure gauge every month to ensure the unit is holding its charge. If you use the extinguisher, no matter how much agent has been used the extinguisher should be considered empty, and you should have it refilled as soon as possible. The extinguisher will not maintain its pressure once it has been operated.

The decision to fight a fire is critical. Regardless of your choice, always get out of the building first, and call the fire department.

If you feel that you can extinguish the fire with your fire extinguisher, do so with caution and use the following steps.

1. Check that the pressure indicator is full, and after pulling the pin, a very short burst with the extinguisher as a check to make sure it works - if it does not work, leave immediately.
2. Approach the fire with caution, and make sure there is a clear path to an exit behind you.
3. Leave immediately if the fire is still burning after using one full extinguisher - it is likely the fire is too large for you to fight.

How To Use Fire Extinguisher

1. KEEP well back from the fire. 
2. PULL the pin on the fire extinguisher. 
3. AIM the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire. 
4. SQUEEZE the handle. 
5. SWEEP from side to side. 
6. BE CAREFUL and watch for re-ignition

Maintenance and Testing of Fire Safety Equipment

1. All fire doors and escape routes should be regularly checked along with associated lighting and signs
2. Fire-fighting equipment should be regularly checked
3. Fire detection and alarm equipment should be regularly checked
4. All other equipment provided to help means of escape arrangements in the building should be regularly checked
5. Instructions for relevant employees about testing of equipment should be available
6. Make sure those who test and maintain the equipment are properly trained to do so.

Evacuation plans

1. Have a clear passageway to all escape routes
2. Clearly marked escape routes that are as short and direct as possible
3. Have enough exits and routes for all people to escape
4. Emergency doors that open easily
5. Emergency lighting where needed
6. Training for all employees to know and use the escape routes
7. Have a safe meeting point for staff

Evacuation of disabled people

The first step in your fire risk assessment process is to identify those people at risk and to take particular care in assessing the risks to vulnerable groups or individuals. This could include children the elderly or those with a disability.

The Equality Act 2010 ensures that disabled people should not be treated less favourable or be at a substantial disadvantage to people without disabilities.

If an employer fails to make arrangements for the safe evacuation of disabled people from their premises it could be seen as discriminatory as well as failing to comply with the current fire safety legislation. Remember that the definition of disability is wide ranging and not restricted to physical disabilities.

Individuals have different capabilities and each building will have unique characteristics so in many cases a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) will be required.

It should include clear concise instructions and evacuation maps or diagrams, detailing how disabled people can reach a place of safety.

Fire and Rescue Services will expect to see it as part of your Fire Safety Risk Assessment. They will be looking for information on how you will evacuate that person and do not expect you to leave them in a refuge to await rescue by the Fire and Rescue Service.

A refuge should only be used as a stage of a full evacuation. You may use it to determine whether a full evacuation is required or as a rest point on the route. No one should ever be left in a refuge during a full evacuation.

Employers and Employees' Responsibilities in Reducing Fire Hazards

1. Take steps to prevent and reduce the impact of fire on the workplace and carry out a fire risk assessment of their workplace
2. Identify the significant findings of the risk assessment and the details of anyone who might be especially at risk in case of fire (these must be recorded if more than five employees)
3. Provide and maintain fire precautions necessary to safeguard anyone using the workplace (including visitors)
4. Provide information, instruction and training to employees about the fire precautions in the workplace.
5. Employers must nominate people to undertake any special roles which are required under the emergency plan
6. Employers must consult their employees (or their elected representatives or appointed trade union safety representatives) about the nomination of people to carry out particular roles in connection with fire safety and about proposals for improving the fire precautions
7. Employers must inform other employers who also have workplaces in the building of any significant risks they found which might affect the safety of their employees – and co-operate with them about the measures proposed to reduce/control those risks
8. Controllers of premises (even if they do not employ anyone themselves) which contain more than one workplace are also responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the fire legislation are complied with in those parts over which they have control
9. Employers must establish a suitable means of contacting the emergency services, and ensure that they can be called easily. They should also ensure that the emergency services can gain access to the premises in an emergency.
10. Employees must co-operate with employers to ensure the workplace is safe from fire and its effects and not to do anything which will place themselves or other people at risk
11. In some workplaces there may be a need to apply for a licence, or other form of approval before using the workplace.